Crankcase vapors condensor

ABSTRACT

This invention is a crankcase vapors condensor for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine with a crankcase, a positive crankcase ventilation valve, intake manifold carburetor, and associated cooler. The invention includes a special condensor operably connectible with the positive crankcase ventilation valve to receive crankcase vapors, condense same, and pass to a special separator operable to remove and retain the resulting condensate, and pass resulting vapors to the intake manifold of the engine.

O Unlted States Patent [151 3,664,314

Lamkin May 23, 197 2 54] CRANKCASE VAPORS CONDENSOR 1,831,159 11 1931 Burrows ..123/41.31 x 3,225,752 12/1965 Robinson... .....123/l19 B [72] Imam" Chm"! M1115 wlchltar 3,236,216 2/1966 Dolah ..123/1 19 B Kans. 672 1 6 22 i 9, 1970 Primary Examiner-Benjamin W. Wyche Attorney lohn H. Widdowson [21] Appl. N0.: 17,466

[ ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..l23/1l9 B, 123/41.23, l23/4l.3l, This invention is a crankcase vapors condensor for a vehicle l23/41.51 having an internal combustion engine with a crankcase, a posi- [51] Int. Cl ..F02f 9/00 i rankc n i n lv in manifold r r r. [58] Field of Search ..l23/1 19 B,41.31,41.51,41.23 and associated ccclcr- The invention includes a p c a condensor operably connectible with the positive crankcase ven- 56] References Cited tilation valve to receive crankcase vapors, condense same, and pass to a special separator operable to remove and retain the UNITED STATES PATENTS resulting condensate, and pass resulting vapors to the intake manifold of the engine. 2,766,740 10/1956 Tacchella ..123/4l.23 3,299,873 1/1967 Bruenn..... 1 23/1 19 B 3 Claims, 3 Drawing figures r e ,2 I i 1 In i \l I I? 2 I 2 i 1 I \I\ L 1 we 1 1/ I 1 2 i s l l\ 32, p; I

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\il l PATENTEDMAY23 I972 3,664,314

INVENTOR.

CLIFFORD L. LAMKIN ATTORNEY CRANKCASE VAPORS CONDENSOR Various means are known in the prior art as operable to remove vapors from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine. However, these prior art devices are generally of a complicated nature and provide for removal of the crankcase vapors from the engine yet recycle same within the engine or dump same into the atmosphere.

In one preferred specific embodiment of the crankcase vapors condensor of this invention, apparatus is provided to remove the vapor from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine and prevent same from re-entering the engine or the atmosphere. The crankcase vapors condensor includes a condensor operable to receive crankcase vapors from the engine and a separator operable to receive the resulting condensed crankcase vapor and associated vapor from the condensor, separate and retain the liquid portion therein for removal later and pass the vapor portion into the engine. The condensor is preferably connected in use by flexible conduit to the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation valve) of the engine, which is normally positioned on the valve cover thereof. The cooling condensor and separator are preferably connected by flexible conduit, and the separator is preferably connected to the intake manifold of the engine. The condensor is preferably constructed of a material and in a color which will readily dissipate heat from the passing crankcase vapor, and it is preferably mounted to receive air therearound to cool same. The separator is preferably constructed with a removable container portion to receive and retain the condensed vapor which can be removed therefrom for disposal of the liquid.

One object of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Still one other object of this invention is to provide a crankcase vapors condensor having a condensor and separator to remove undesirable material from the crankcase vapor of an internal combustion engine.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a means of modification of the modern internal combustion engine to remove undesirable and smog producing material from the crankcase of the engine and prevent the material from re-entering the engine or from entering the atmosphere.

. One further object of this invention is to provide a crankcase vapors condensor easily mounted with the structure of a modern motor vehicle and with the modern internal combustion engine.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper, left frontal perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle, shown in outline, having a preferred specific embodiment of the crankcase vapors condensor of the invention mounted with the engine and structure thereof;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial schematic diagram of the crankcase vapors condensor operably connected with an internal combustion engine; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the separator having segments of conduit connected thereto.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new crankcase vapors condensor of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1, the crankcase vapors condensor is shown mounted with a motor vehicle having a modern internal combustion engine, indicated at 11. The crankcase vapors condensor includes a condensor 12 and a separator 14 attached by conduit to the PCV valve 16 and carburetor 18 of the engine 11. The PCV valve 16 is a check valve allowing flow from the engine 11. The condensor 12 has a helically formed coil preferably constructed of circular shaped conduit 20 and when mounted with the vehicle 10 preferably positioned ahead of the radiator. The separator 14 can be mounted with the structure of the vehicle preferably positioned within the engine compartment thereof. The separator 14 preferably has a removable and impervious container 22 defining a housing having a cavity 24 therein and enclosing a helically formed inlet conduit 26 and an outlet conduit 28. The crankcase vapors condensor of this invention is shown in the drawings as mounted with a motor vehicle 10; however, it is to be understood that it can be operably used in conjunction with any modern internal combustion engine regardless of the engines particular use.

The condensor 12 is substantially a helically formed coil, having a plurality of turns of circular conduit 20 with brackets 29 extending therefrom to mount the condensor 12 on a supporting structure. An inlet conduit 30 is attached to the inlet end 32 of the cooling condensor 12 joining the end 32 with the PCV valve 16. The outlet end 34 of the condensor 12 has a conduit 36 attached thereto, connecting same with the separator 14. On both ends 32 and 34 of the condensor 12 the conduits 30 and 36, respectively, are secured by clamps 38 and 40. The conduit 20 of the cooling condensor is preferably constructed of metal; a copper alloy in practice has proved to be a very satisfactory material. In operation, the condensor 12 is preferably mounted in position for air to pass over and receive heat from same. In practice, mounting the condensor 12 in the front portion of a conventional vehicle as shown in FIG. 1, ahead of the radiator 42 has proven satisfactory.

The separator 14 includes a container 22 preferably generally cylindrical in shape closed on one end 42 and threadedly attached to a cover member 44 on the opposite end. The wall 50 of the container 22 is integral with the end 42. The separator 14 is preferably held by the bracket 47 and easily removable therefrom. The cover member 44 has openings therethrough which the inlet conduit 26 and outlet conduit are mounted, and it has a seal 46 therearound the inner portion of the cover member 44 against the openable end portion 48 of the wall 50 of the container 22. The inlet conduit 26 is preferably mounted with the cover member 44 and extends through a major portion of the cavity 24 of the container 22. The inlet conduit 26 preferably has the form of a helically shaped coil member 52 axially aligning with the container 22 within the cavity 24. The outlet conduit 28 has a straight conduit member 54 mounted with the cover member 44 and extends into the cavity 24 terminating in the upper portion thereof. The coil member 52 terminates in the lower portion of the cavity 24 with a space between its terminal end 56 and the end 42 of the container. The inlet conduit 26 is attached to the flexible conduit 36 held in place by a clamp member 58, and the outlet conduit 28 attaches the discharge conduit 60 held in place by a clamp member 62.

The discharge conduit 60 from the separator 14 attaches the carburetor 18 in position to discharge into same the gaseous portion of the crankcase vapors. In practice it has been found preferable to discharge the gaseous portion of the crankcase vapors into the ports of the intake manifold 63 at the base portion of the carburetor 18 as generally shown in FIG. 2. The conduit 60 is held by clamp 64 on a conduit 66 issuing from the plate member 68 mounted below carburetor 18 and in direct communication with the intake manifold ports of the engine 11.

In operation of the engine 1 l a vacuum is created in the intake manifold 63; this vacuum is used to move crankcase vapors through the crankcase vapors condensor of this invention. Crankcase vapor moves through the PCV valve 16 and conduit 30 to the condensor 12 whereupon they are cooled, and a portion of the liquid fraction is condensed out of the vapor. From the condensor 12 the vapor and liquid pass through conduit 36 to the separator 14 whereupon they pass through the coil 52 into the cavity 24 of the container 22. Vapor leaving the end 56 of the coil 52 swirls around in a circular pattern inside the container 22 thereby further separating the liquid and gaseous fractions. The liquid portion of the vapor drops to the lower portion of the cavity and remains there and the gaseous portion passes from the separator 14 by exiting via the outlet conduit member 28 to the discharge conduit 60 whereupon it goes to the carburetor 18 to re-enter the engine 11.

The liquid portion is the material which normally is recycled within the engine 11 and eventually passes into the atmosphere attributing to air pollution; however, here where it is separated from the crankcase vapor, the liquid portion can be removed periodically from the container 22 and disposed of by other means.

In practice the separated liquid portion of the crankcase vapor has been found to contain the following materials in the percentage amounts indicated:

Oil 90.35% Water 9.01% Solid Carbon 0.64% Hard Carbon 0.48% Metallic 0.16% Iron 0.05% Lead 0.05%

In the manufacture of the crankcase vapors condensor of this invention, it is obvious the container 22 is constructed of a transparent material so the liquid portion collected therein may be seen and subsequently disposed of when a substantial amount is collected therein. Also it is seen the conduits 30, 36 and 60 can be easily formed of standard automotive type hose of rubber or similar material.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description of the applicants crankcase vapors condensor, relatively simple and efficient means have been provided to remove the undesirable liquid portion from the crankcase vapors of an internal combustion engine. The crankcase vapors condensor is economical to manufacture, easily installed with internal combustion engines and provides a means of reducing air pollution due to internal combustion engines.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, a combustion chamber with associated valve means and valved positive crankcase ventilation means, intake manifold means supplied by carburetor means, and having an engine cooling means forward of same providing a flow of cooling air, therewith the crankcase vapors condensor means of this invention comprising:

a. a first condensor and heat removing means mounted closely adjacent said engine cooling means forward of said engine and in the lower portion of said cooling means to in operation receive thereover cooling air, and having conduit means operably connected with said crankcase ventilation means additionally to in operation receive crankcase vapors and condense a portion of same,

b. a second condensor and separator means having first conduit means operably connecting it to said first condensor means and second conduit means operably connecting it to said intake manifold means and operable to remove resulting condensed crankcase vapor material and pass resulting vapors into said intake manifold means,

0. said second condensor means including a container means, lid member, separator coil member and vapor outlet member,

d. said container means is of transparent material, has one end closed and the opposite end mounting said lid member to close same,

e. said separator coil member has a helically shaped conduit portion mounted in said lid member and passing therethrough, has one end operably connected with said first condensor means by said first conduit means, and has the other end thereof open within said container means and spaced from said closed end of said container means,

and

f. said outlet member has a conduit member mounted in and passing through said lid member, positioned approximately axially relative said separator coil member terminating therein same, and said outlet member portion extending from said lid member is attached with said second conduit means and connected to said intake manifold means, and said container means operable to receive the separated vapors of said crankcase vapors.

2. A vehicle having the crankcase vapors condensor as described in claim 1, wherein and in combination therewith:

a. said second condensor and separator means is mounted with said structure of said vehicle relative the interior of the engine compartment thereof positioned to be easily removable therefrom,

b. said valved positive crankcase ventilation means has said first conduit means attached thereto and connected with said first condensor means, and

c. said first condensor means has a helically formed coil structure.

3. A vehicle have a crankcase vapor condensor described in claim 2, wherein and in combination therewith:

a. said valved positive crankcase ventilation means has said first conduit means with a valve member therein permitting fluid flow only from the engine to said first condensor means. 

1. In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, a combustion chamber with associated valve means and valved positive crankcase ventilation means, intake manifold means supplied by carburetor means, and having an engine cooling means forward of same providing a flow of cooling air, therewith the crankcase vapors condensor means of this invention comprising: a. a first condensor and heat removing means mounted closely adjacent said engine cooling means forward of said engine and in the Lower portion of said cooling means to in operation receive thereover cooling air, and having conduit means operably connected with said crankcase ventilation means additionally to in operation receive crankcase vapors and condense a portion of same, b. a second condensor and separator means having first conduit means operably connecting it to said first condensor means and second conduit means operably connecting it to said intake manifold means and operable to remove resulting condensed crankcase vapor material and pass resulting vapors into said intake manifold means, c. said second condensor means including a container means, lid member, separator coil member and vapor outlet member, d. said container means is of transparent material, has one end closed and the opposite end mounting said lid member to close same, e. said separator coil member has a helically shaped conduit portion mounted in said lid member and passing therethrough, has one end operably connected with said first condensor means by said first conduit means, and has the other end thereof open within said container means and spaced from said closed end of said container means, and f. said outlet member has a conduit member mounted in and passing through said lid member, positioned approximately axially relative said separator coil member terminating therein same, and said outlet member portion extending from said lid member is attached with said second conduit means and connected to said intake manifold means, and said container means operable to receive the separated vapors of said crankcase vapors.
 2. A vehicle having the crankcase vapors condensor as described in claim 1, wherein and in combination therewith: a. said second condensor and separator means is mounted with said structure of said vehicle relative the interior of the engine compartment thereof positioned to be easily removable therefrom, b. said valved positive crankcase ventilation means has said first conduit means attached thereto and connected with said first condensor means, and c. said first condensor means has a helically formed coil structure.
 3. A vehicle have a crankcase vapor condensor described in claim 2, wherein and in combination therewith: a. said valved positive crankcase ventilation means has said first conduit means with a valve member therein permitting fluid flow only from the engine to said first condensor means. 